take (one's) ball and go home

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take (one's) ball and go home

To be so petulant in dealing with adversity, loss, or rejection that one quits or leaves abruptly, often disrupting other participants in the process. The image is of a child who leaves with the ball, thus preventing others from continuing to play the game. I didn't lose, you guys are playing wrong! That's it, I'm taking my ball and going home!I've heard that this new artist is a little temperamental, so, everyone, please be on your best behavior so he doesn't take his ball and go home.

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